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This piece explores Al-Qaeda's multifaceted nature, focusing on its four primary dimensions: ideological, operational, tactical, and strategic. Analyzing the group's objectives, it discusses what Al-Qaeda seeks from the United States, framed within the context of jihad. The term jihad is unpacked, highlighting its dual meaning of external conflict and internal spiritual struggle. Additionally, the rise of the Taliban under Mullah Mohammed Omar is scrutinized, noting their strict interpretation of Islam, human rights violations, and relationship with Osama bin Laden, emphasizing their impact on Afghanistan and global security.
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Reading • Describe the four faces of Al Qaeda. • What does Al Qaeda want from the United States?
Jihad Jihad is the Arabic for what can be variously translated as "struggle" or "effort," or "to strive," "to exert," "to fight," depending on the context. In the West, the word is generally understood to mean "holy war," and the terms are given, inaccurately, exclusively military connotations. The Quran does call for "jihad" as a military struggle on behalf of Islam. But the Quran also refers to jihad as an internal, individual, spiritual struggle toward self-improvement, moral cleansing and intellectual effort. It is said that Prophet Muhammad considered the armed-struggle version of holy war "the little jihad," but considered the spiritual, individual version of holy war--the war within oneself--as "the great jihad." What is Jihad?
Taliban • Under their leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, the Taliban now impose on the Afghan people a form of Islam so strict that that it is considered aberrant and recognized by few other Islamic leaders. Even minor crimes are punishable by public execution. Women are not allowed to work, pursue education or to access public health care facilities. Other human rights violations abound. In March 2001, the Taliban first drew the general ire of the free-world by destroying the giant Buddha religious sculptures because they were "non-Islamic." • • The Taliban under Mullah Omar is thought to control about 90-percent of Afghanistan, and lists Osama bin Laden as a "guest" of the government. • • The only country still recognizing and maintaining diplomatic relations with the Taliban is Pakistan.
